For a short time in 2020, the Milwaukee Bucks seemed to have traded for Bogdan Bogdanovic. However, it turned out that the deal, a sign-and-trade, was never agreed to by Bogdanovic. Furthermore, as the free agency window had not opened, the Bucks were found to be in violation of league rules for negotiating with him.
At the end of the day, Bogdanovic was traded to the Atlanta Hawks. Milwaukee, though blowing the deal, won the NBA Championship that season. Ironically, they defeated Bogdanovic and his Atlanta Hawks in the Eastern Conference Finals in order to get there.
Two and a half years later, the Bucks are still being linked to trade talks involving Bogdanovic. In a recent article posted by Bleacher Report, their NBA staff suggests a trade that would finally send Bogdanovic to Milwaukee.
The Milwaukee Bucks Finally Acquire Bogdan Bogdanovic In Blockbuster Trade Scenario
Bucks Receive: Bogdan Bogdanovic
Hawks Receive: Grayson Allen, Pat Connaughton, 2029 First Round Pick
The NBA staff at Bleacher Report suggest the trade because:
“[The Bucks’ roster] needs another infusion of functional shooting and secondary to bail-out creation.
“Bogdanović represents both—in a big way. He canned 43.2 percent of his off-the-dribble triples last year. Among 75 players to attempt as many pull-up threes, only Malcolm Brogdon, Stephen Curry and Buddy Hield drilled theirs at a higher clip.
“Granted, Bogdanović’s four-year, $68 million extension leaks past the two-to-three-season window in which Milwaukee is operating. But it doesn’t shatter the piggy bank. Coughing up a 2029 first-rounder is steep, and the Bucks need to trust that both Crowder and MarJon Beauchamp are ready for regular minutes if they’re unloading Allen and Connaughton.
“When it comes down to it, though, this is the type of acquisition that can take Milwaukee from the inner circle of title contention to the standalone-top of the championship pyramid.”
If the Bucks were to trade Allen and Connaughton for Bogdanovic, their roster would be:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Khris Middleton
- Jrue Holiday
- Brook Lopez
- Malik Beasley
- Bogdan Bogdanovic
- Bobby Portis
- Jae Crowder
- MarJon Beauchamp
- Robin Lopez
- Chris Livingston
- Andre Jackson Jr.
- AJ Green
That is a pretty top-heavy roster with a number of quality players, but still includes enough young players that head coach Adrian Griffin can develop for the future.
As the article notes, Bogdanovic is an electric shooter. It would be interesting to see what the starting lineup would look like with Allen gone. Beasley led the NBA in three-point shots made off the bench last season, and would be an excellent option to be the starting shooting guard. This would leave Portis, Bogdanovic, and Beauchamp as the main scorers off the bench.
That would not be a bad thing at all. Giving up another first round pick (after giving up so many to get Holiday) may be a bit steep, but it would ensure the Bucks’ core of players would stay intact for multiple season.
It might be worth it.
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